CD Reviews

Dissapointing Remakes; Misleading Packaging

06/14/1999

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Shortly before his plane crash, Rick Nelson went into the studio and recorded this album of remakes of many of his best songs. It's become a fad for artists to do remakes of their own work, but I've never been more disappointed with such work as I was here. Not one of the songs is anywhere near as good as the original versions (and "Garden Party" was pretty lame to begin with!) It's hard for me to understand, as anyone who's heard the LIVE 1983-1985 album can attest he brought MORE power to his oldies as the years went by, not less-- as here.But the worst thing is that, apart from the cover photo, NOTHING on the outside packaging hints that these are anything other than the "original" recordings. For SHAME, Curb Records!!!"

Disappointed

Mec@Otherside.Com | Indiana | 01/28/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I was under the impression that I was getting the original releases( Best of Ricky Nelson ). Instead it was a recut that didn't have the same sound and range in his voice. He sounds dull and lifeless when compared to the original releases. Very disappointing. He sounds like he is on drugs. Do you have a CD of his original releases?"

Label is EXTREMELY misleading

Mec@Otherside.Com | 09/15/1999

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Rerecording of orignals - CURB doesn't say anywhere on the outside of package. Rick sounds tired and just wants to get it over with. bad business for CURB label."

"Here Here" to all of the above. Don't buy this one!

Mec@Otherside.Com | 06/09/1999

(1 out of 5 stars)

"WHAT UP with this CD? Rick sounds just awful. I thought these were the original recordings. He sounds like he just ate some bad bratwurst! Give me the original recordings!"

Skip this--and get yourself a REAL compilation

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 03/06/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Best of Ricky Nelson is a budget priced CD that is somewhat deceptive--they don't tell you that these are re-recordings Rick did later in life! Yes, it's still Rick's wonderful voice and his style is terrific; but these are NOT original recordings and that's quite a disappointment.

The CD starts off with "Poor Little Fool;" Rick sings this with sensitivity but the energy isn't quite there; this tune sounds distinctly country and although that's fine with me the youthful energy and enthusiasm just isn't there. "Travelin' Man" also gets the same treatment--Rick sounds wonderful and he never sings a superfluous note. However, this rendition is just too mellow for my tastes; it sounds like Rick is singing from inside a box!

"Hello Mary Lou (Goodbye Heart)" has great percussion and the music is awesome! Rick sings this without a superfluous note. "Garden Party" gets good treatment as Rick handles this ballad much more like the original version--perhaps because the original version was recorded when Rick was already a more mature performer. "Hello Mary Lou (Goodbye Heart)" and "Garden Party" come off as two of the stronger cuts on this album.

"Never Be Anyone Else But You" sounds solid but again the youthful energy of Rick's original recording just isn't there. It makes me wonder if he really wanted to record these songs!

"Teenage Idol" features Ricky's excellent diction to bolster his performance while the music plays very nicely in the background; but again it seems as if Ricky's singing from inside a box! "Sweeter Than You" has Rick crooning this nicely with some good backup vocalists harmonizing and the arrangement for the guitar is very well done.

The CD ends with Rick performing "Young World." Rick sings this nicely with heart and soul; "Young World" is another highlight of this album. The guitars work wonders for "Young World" and the backup lacks nothing.

Overall, this release from Curb Records doesn't really make the grade even if three or four of these tracks do sound very good. People need to know that these are recordings of old hits Rick made in 1984 toward the end of his all too short life. I would not recommend this CD; there are issues with the sound and the energy Ricky had when he initially recorded these songs is very lacking. Ouch!"